Accident and Emergency Departments

Mr. Lansley
To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will place a copy of the national guidance stating that accident and emergency departments should serve a catchment population of 450,000 to 500,000 people in the Library.

Andy Burnham
The Department has not issued guidance stating that accident and emergency departments should cover a given catchment population.

It is a matter for the local national health service to ensure that there is appropriate provision of urgent and emergency services that are responsive to people’s needs.